FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 file photo delegates attend the opening of the 36th session of the Human Rights Council, at the European headquarters of the United Nations, UN, in Geneva, Switzerland. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Geneva says the kingdom would not oppose a resolution at the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council seeking an independent, international investigation of rights violations and crimes in war-torn Yemen, but raised questions about “timing.” (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP, file)

Saudis back probe of Yemen crimes, question 'timing'

By JAMEY KEATEN

Sep. 13, 2017

GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it would not oppose a resolution at the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council seeking an independent, international investigation of rights violations and crimes in war-torn Yemen, but raised questions about the "timing."

A Saudi-led coalition has waged a devastating air campaign in Yemen since 2015 to support the government in its war against Shiite Houthi rebels, who control the capital and much of the north. The fighting has killed more than 10,000 people and fomented a cholera epidemic, and the U.N. has said Yemen is the world's greatest humanitarian disaster.

Yemen's crisis is shaping up as one of the key issues of debate at the 47-member council's three-week session that began on Monday. Saudi Arabia and Arab allies have thwarted past efforts at the council to create an international investigation, and they were expected to detail their own proposed resolution on Yemen this week.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands, which has strived in vain to establish an international probe at past council sessions, was renewing its efforts — this time with new support from Canada. Those countries laid out their draft resolution Wednesday seeking the creation of a three-person international commission of inquiry.

"We have no objection (to) the inquiry itself, we just have a discussion about the timing," Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Geneva, Abdulaziz al-Wasil, said. "Whether this is the right time to establish an international commission with the difficulties on the ground, and we knew in advance that they will face tremendous obstacles in terms of access."

Al-Wasil said his country would seek "compromise," but suggested the inquiry should be conducted by Yemenis. "It's always easier for them basically to try to understand the dynamics of their country, and also they have connections to go to different regions," he said.

The Arab countries have previously gained council support for a human rights investigation under the internationally-recognized Yemeni government, but alleged crimes in rebel-controlled areas are generally beyond its investigators' reach.

On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch released a report documenting the deaths of 26 children killed in five Saudi-led airstrikes since June, saying the strikes may amount to war crimes.

"There was a little cautiousness at first: You know, nobody wants to go up against the Saudis for fear of economic retaliation, but gradually there is recognition that the stakes are simply too high for Saudi money to be able to buy off action."

"What everybody is aware of is that the situation is just so much more dire today than it was the last time the Human Rights Council took up the matter," he added.

Airstrikes by the U.S.-backed coalition in the past two years have targeted civilian gatherings at weddings, funerals, hospitals, markets and houses.

Yemen was the Arab world's poorest country even before the war broke out. The conflict has displaced more than 3 million people, and along with a Saudi-led naval and air blockade, has pushed the country to the brink of famine.